Healthy Forests, Healthy Minds: Why Protecting Nature is Key to Human Well-being

Topics included:

• What Climate Anxiety Means
• Why So Many People Feel Overwhelmed
• Simple Habits for Daily Life
• How Therapy Supports Climate Stress
• Where to Start at KKJ

Topics included:

• What Sustainability Means
• Why Sustainability Supports Wellbeing
• Easy Daily Habits
• How to Start Small
• How KKJ Supports These Values

Written by Kayal Udaiyar
Intern

While climate change may seem like an equalizing threat, its adverse effects disproportionately burden underserved communities, particularly racial and ethnic communities who are the least
prepared to face its consequences. As the United States grows more diverse, it is imperative to recognize and understand how the negative consequences of this crisis affect people of different racial backgrounds.

Environmental Racism: An Obscure Reality
Environmental racism is defined as unequal access to clean environments and resources based on race, leaving communities of color to bear the brunt of environmental hazards and pollution. Historical practices and discriminatory policies have devalued and marginalized predominantly minority neighborhoods while favoring wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods, exacerbating existing inequalities.

Air Quality: Breathless in Fence-Line Communities
The air we breathe should be a fundamental right, yet racial and ethnic communities suffer disproportionately from poor air quality. More than 6.7 million black people reside in counties housing oil refineries, with 75% of them living in fence-line communities. These communities are located near industrial facilities that emit noise, odor, traffic, and harmful emissions directly impacting their inhabitants.

Ocean Acidification: Threatening Coastal Communities' Livelihoods
Ocean acidification, caused by increased carbon dioxide levels, has far-reaching implications for coastal communities, particularly those of Native American descent. These communities heavily rely on the ocean for sustenance and livelihoods. However, lower pH levels in the ocean negatively impact marine life, resulting in reduced fish populations and economic hardships for these communities and a decline in revenue from tourism and hunting.

Natural Disasters: Widening the Wealth Gap
Climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of natural disasters, worsening injustices felt by low-income and minority populations. After a natural disaster strikes, government aid typically focuses on rebuilding infrastructure and restoring affected areas. However, studies have revealed that while white counties experience an increase in average wealth following these events, minority counties suffer wealth decreases. Moreover, low-income and minority populations often live in proximity to industrial facilities, making them more vulnerable to emergency chemical spills and toxic leaks during such disasters.

Environmental Justice: Towards a Sustainable and Equitable Future
Amidst the challenges faced by racial and ethnic communities, a powerful movement for environmental justice has emerged. Environmental justice is a concept that was birthed in North Carolina, when in 1982, residents of Warren County protested against the state’s decision to build a toxic waste facility in the county with the highest proportion of Black residents. The incident sparked the beginnings of a new movement, where environmental justice advocates work tirelessly to combat flawed environmental policies and rectify the harm inflicted on low-income communities and communities of color. Organizations like the NAACP's Environmental and Climate Justice program, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Bass Connections actively champion sustainable and equitable futures while striving to redress environmental injustices. Through legal action, awareness campaigns, and inclusive policy advocacy, they fight for the protection and well-being of communities of color.

Environmental racism creates disparities in access to clean environments and resources, leaving marginalized communities more vulnerable to its consequences. However, by raising awareness, supporting organizations fighting for change, and demanding inclusive policies, we can pave the way towards a society where every person, regardless of their race or ethnicity, is guaranteed protection from the worst effects of climate change.

Want to take some action yourself?

Check out these local resources!

Chapel Hill:
https://www.causeiq.com/directory/environmental-organizations-list/durham-chapel-hill-nc-metro/

Durham:
https://www.meetup.com/find/?source=GROUPS&location=us--nc--Durham&distance=twentyFiveMiles&categoryId=604

Raleigh :
https://www.meetup.com/find/?source=GROUPS&location=us--nc--raleigh&distance=twentyFiveMiles&categoryId=604

National Resources:

Asian Pacific Environmental Network:
https://donate.apen4ej.org/give/165939/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=website&c_src2=menu

Environmental Defense Fund:
https://www.edf.org/

NCAAP:
https://naacp.org/know-issues/environmental-climate-justice

350.org:
https://act.350.org/donate/build/

Lots more places to donate!
https://www.greenmatters.com/p/best-environmental-charities-donate

Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones was recently a guest on the "Ask A Psychologist" program put on by the North Carolina Psychological Association.

While COVID did not create climate anxiety, it certainly heightened concern about the environment for many people. This presentation will discuss some of the real mental health issues that have resulted from climate change, and some practical ways to both cope and make an impact on the environment.

Please watch the video below...

Happy Earth Day! I love the notion of celebrating nature and renewal. I think this is why I really became a psychologist. When people ask me why I became a psychologist, I tell the story about how I had a friend in middle school who wanted to be a psychologist, so I said to myself, that sounds good. That was it.

 But, over the years, I’ve realized that idea felt so right because I am a psychologist at my core. I think humans are fascinating. I think figuring out who we are, how to find purpose and happiness, and how to grow and make changes is why we’re here.

What does this have to do with Earth Day? I, like many people, consumed during the COVID lock down. This consumption helped make things a little easier and more enjoyable, but when it was over, I looked around and realized that I wasn’t living according to my values. I value not focusing on stuff, not contributing to the landfill, and helping our earth become revitalized. It helped me shift back to buying less and refocus on eco-conscious living. It also led me to learn more about climate anxiety.

If you want to read more about climate anxiety, click here. The bottom line is this, there are things we can do to help reduce our impact on the environment and feel happier in the process. Identify your values, accept what you can’t change, and make a commitment to change what you can through action. If you have identified that supporting a more eco-friendly lifestyle is a commitment you are willing to make, here are some tips to get you started.

Acting pro-environmentally gives us a deeper sense of personal meaning, which has been called ‘green flow’. Flow refers to a mental state where a person becomes fully immersed in an activity and feels energized, focused, and “in the zone.” I’m not exactly convinced that my ‘green’ lifestyle can be described this way but getting enjoyment out of green living and finding a way to think about eco-consciousness as a hobby, sounds like fun to me.

And there is research that supports the idea that flow can be used as a coping skill for stress and anxiety, so maybe this is worth investigating as it relates to climate anxiety.

Being mindful about consumption and waste, and the effects on our environment, can certainly help develop a sense of personal control or agency over the situation, and be intrinsically rewarding, which both contribute to a sense of flow.

I’m always looking for more tips on ways to contribute to a healthy planet, so here are some great finds!

Is the apocalypse coming?

How to proactively deal with Climate Anxiety

Climate change has become a hot topic in recent years, and with good reason. As we learn more about the impact humans have on our planet, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. Climate change affects our mental health in addition to our planet. Extreme weather and scary events like fires, blizzards, and hurricanes can increase depression and anxiety, and contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder. People might experience being shut-in, being displaced, and have food insecurity. Higher temperatures are also associated with an increased risk of suicide and psychiatric hospitalization.

Climate anxiety is a real issue affecting people all around the world. This can involve existential dread about the future of the planet, and anger at those who have contributed to the damage, deny the damage, or refuse to make changes. Anxiety about climate change is a very valid emotion that is increasingly affecting more and more people. It’s natural to feel a sense of helplessness in the face of such a daunting global issue, but it’s important to remember that there are concrete actions we can take to mitigate climate change, and that these actions can also have a positive impact on our own well-being.

Strategies such as reducing, reusing, and recycling can not only help reduce our carbon footprint but can also increase happiness by providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Additionally, taking steps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, such as switching to renewable energy sources or walking or biking instead of driving, can not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but can also improve physical health and mental well-being. It’s important to remember that we don’t have to tackle climate change alone and that by working together and taking small steps, we can make a significant impact on our planet and our own happiness. Implementing sustainable practices can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with environmental degradation. By making small changes we can feel a sense of accomplishment and control over our actions.

There are things we can do to help reduce our impact on the environment and feel happier in the process. Identify your values, accept what you can’t change, and make a commitment to change what you can through action. If you have identified that supporting a more eco- friendly lifestyle is a commitment you are willing to make, here are some tips to get you started.